Aston Martin "analysing data" to determine Sebastian Vettel appeal decision

Sebastian Vettel on the Hungarian GP podium — Photo: © LAT Images

Aston Martin

Aston Martin "analysing data" to determine Vettel appeal decision

Team has until late Thursday night to make a call

Ian Parkes

Monday 2 August 2021 19:46

Aston Martin has confirmed it is "analysing data" as it weighs up whether to pursue an appeal of Sebastian Vettel's disqualification from the Hungarian Grand Prix.

After finishing second at the Hungaroring, the FIA was unable to retrieve a litre of fuel from Vettel's AMR21 as required by the regulations, instead only managing 0.3 litres.

Team principal Otmar Szafnauer later claimed an issue with the lift fuel pump led to the FIA's decision, stating adamantly there was still 1.44 litres in the car.

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That led to Aston Martin serving notice of its intent to appeal, opening a 96-hour window through to 22:14 on Thursday, August 5, to determine whether to formally protest.

The car has since been impounded by the FIA at its R&D facility in France.

Confirming the process currently in place, a team spokesperson said: “Since we had reason to believe that there was more than one litre of fuel in Sebastian Vettel’s car after the Hungarian Grand Prix, we decided to reserve our right to appeal, which decision was communicated publicly by the FIA late the same Sunday night, in accordance with their standard procedures.

"We are now analysing data in order to decide whether to appeal or not, using the 96-hour ‘window’ that the FIA allocates for such deliberations.”

Szafnauer has already stated the team knows how much fuel was put in the car, how much was used during the race via the fuel-flow meter, thereby determining how much still remains.

The FIA, meanwhile, has since clarified the drivers' and constructors' standings in light of Vettel's disqualification after confusion was caused by its original submission on Sunday night.